Police shoot, kill cougar prowling Lethbridge subdivision

Police shot and killed a large cougar they say was on the looseinLethbridge, Alta.,on Saturday.

Officersresponded to calls around 2:40 p.m. that thecougar was prowling the Uplands subdivision in North Lethbridge, the Lethbridge Police Service said in a Saturday press release.

Another witness told police the cougarhad jumped a six-foot-high fence into a residential yard in the 100 block of Bluefox Boulevard.

When officers entered the yard, they said they were faced with an "aggressively posturing" cougar.

"Unfortunately, the cougar had to be euthanized as it presented an immediate risk of life or injury to the public and officers if it was allowed to escape from the yard," police said.

"One shot was fired and the cougar was killed."

A Fish and Wildlife officer arrived at the scene after the cougar had been euthanized and seized the animal for further examination.